Will You Be There

Part 12

Christina’s p.o.v.

I’m actually glad he invited me back to his place, I could tell that every single person in that place was giving Michael death stares and making rude comments under their breath, I could tell he wasn’t comfortable there, and to be honest I wasn’t really either. It just infuriates me that people can be so quick to judge someone without literally knowing anything true about them. The ride there was quite long but it didn’t bother us, we were carrying on an amusing conversation about the mischievous things we would do as children. I told him about the time I spit in my step-fathers drink after he yelled at me all day and he told me about the time when he was little how he threw a shoe at his father, Joseph. We laughed at how fearless we were when it came to dishing it back at our fathers. Finally the car began to slow down and then Michael rolled down the tinted windows, “Christina, this is my home, this is Neverland.” I was in awe, it was so magical, and you could feel the magic and peace surround you. The whole ranch felt safe and wondrous and a place that anyone would want to be forever. “My goodness Michael, it’s beautiful.” He chuckled, “just wait until you see the rest of it.” And with that the car came to a stop and Michael helped me out. He took me around showing me everything from the rides, to the animals, even the marvelous movie theater. I have to say only a person who truly cares for sick children’s well-being would consider some of their conditions for the design of the hospital beds and rooms in the theater. We ended our little tour back at the main house and man was I pooped; there was so much to see. Michael chuckled, “did I tire you out already?” I caught my breath, “No, not yet.” “So what would you like to do, since we are in Neverland.” I thought, as childish as it was I wanted to go ride the rides. As a child I never got to do that, my Mother was always working and my step-father would have never taken me and my siblings. I gave Michael a childish smile and yelled, “Race ya to the amusement park!!” and with that I took off.

Michael’s p.o.v.

She took off and I raced after her giggling in pure delight. A lot of the times my adult friends who visited would rather watch a movie or do anything else than act like a kid on the rides. I admired how she completely let go and allowed herself to have fun. She came to a stop and watched the rides and the lights in awe. I caught up and stood next to her looking at the twinkling lights reflect in her amazed stare. She looked up at it all and whispered to herself, “So this is what an amusement park looks like.” I don’t think I was supposed to hear that, but I’m glad I did. I understood her appreciation for the simple joyous things many take for granted. “So what ride do you want to go on first?” she turned to me and smiled. The child version of Christina had definitely surfaced. “Can we ride the zipper first?” I chuckled, “Of course we can!” we took off towards the ride and buckled in, and then the operator started it up. Christina screamed in delight the whole time and I couldn’t stop smiling at her, it was absolutely adorable.  We rode every ride there about five times each until we decided to take a break on a park bench under a tree. The carnival music filled the air as she continued to watch the rides move about. “Are you having fun?” she tore her stare away from the rides and looked at me with the most beautiful smile, “Most definitely. Thank you Michael for letting me be a kid one last time.” I smiled back, “But who said you have to stop being a kid? Children have things adults tend to lose and lack…like unconditional love, honesty, and they have such innocence. You know, I’ve met a lot of people in my life, children and adults, but not once have I had a child ask anything of such greed from me like a lot of adults have, never has a child intentionally stabbed me in the back or done something hurtful to me like many adults have.” I sighed; it was somewhat untrue since this whole Jordie thing came about. “You know…. I don’t think this is Jordie’s doing. I believe it has something to do with his father; he was always trying to make sure I was close to Jordie. He wanted me to help him financially too.” She looked at me, “Michael have you told your lawyer about this? It may help you out; his father may have planned this whole thing to pin something like this on you!” “Yes my lawyer knows…he said it may be a motive but he would need to find more solid proof for it to sustain.” We sat in silence for awhile until she spoke up again, “You know, when I was little I promised myself when I was an adult…. I would still be a kid. I realized that my mom and step-dad were mean and loveless to a lot of things and I never wanted to be that way.” Her statement hit home, I remember promising myself that I would regain my childhood, and that I would never ever be anything like Joseph. “Me too.” Her stomach growled really loud and we both looked at it then busted out laughing. “Christina are you hungry?” she meekly looked up, “Kind of, I guess my stomach gave it away.” I stood up and offered my hand to help her up, “Come on I’m sure there’s something made up in the kitchen. We raced back to the house in a fit of playful banter and laughter; it was great how I could be my childish self around her and she in no way cared or judged. As I figured the chef had already whipped up dinner for tonight, spaghetti. “Mmmmmm! something smells good!” “Well, I hope you like spaghetti,” “oh I could put a hurtin’ on spaghetti; it’s one of my favorites.” We sat down and ate till we were stuffed. Of course I didn’t make it out of dinner without Christina poking fun at me for failing at twirling the noodles correctly. It was getting late and we decided to go and watch a movie before she had to leave, so we decided to watch what I found out was one of both our favorites, the three stooges. We laughed the entire time and threw popcorn at each other trying to get it in our mouths, but most of our attempts were fails. The movie ended and we headed out to the car. The ride was quite but not awkward, every once in awhile we’d carry on a long conversation but most of the ride we just enjoyed each others company in silence.

Christina’s p.o.v.

We pulled up to my house and of course being the gentleman Michael is, he got out and helped me as well, and then walked me to my door. We said our ‘goodnights’ and ‘see you tomorrows’ and then I unlocked and opened up my house. I stopped in my tracks and called Michael back. I walked towards him and he met me the rest of the way. I wasn’t sure why I did that, I just really enjoyed having him around……I think I like him. So there we stood in the night air as it whipped gently past us, Michael waiting for what I was about to say, and I had no idea either. I stuttered like a fool, “S-so I…. I just wanted to thank you for having me over. I had a lot of fun with you today.” I smiled at him and he returned it, “I’m glad you liked it. I had fun too.” “Well night,” and then for some reason, I leaned forward and kissed Michael on the cheek. As soon as I did that I stopped and pulled back slightly. Michael looked down at me, just inches from my face. He seemed calm, not at all surprised or appalled at what I just did; in matter of fact I could have sworn I saw his eyes lower to my lips and him near closer to me. In that second I realized, I really did like Michael. A lot. And in that moment I wanted to kiss him. I wasn’t sure if that’s what needed to happen at this point or if he even liked me back, but it just felt right. We both neared closer to one another and just when I thought I would feel his lips on mine, his phone began ringing in his pocket. We pulled back quickly and he pulled his phone out and looked at me apologetically then down at his phone. God strike me now, I felt so embarrassed. “Sorry, but I need to take this.” “No it’s fine, I guess I’ll see you later.” And with that I made a run for my house. I kind of felt bad for not waiting for him to reply and just leaving, but I was mortified. We were about to kiss, and were so caught up in the moment, and he probably doesn’t even feel the same way for me. God how could I be so stupid! And to add onto my stupidity I left my car at the office when I went with Michael, great now I have to get a ride with someone. Hmmmm asshole co-worker or Michael….neither, guess I’ll catch a bus there. I hope I don’t even see him tomorrow; I can’t take another embarrassing encounter with him. I slunk to the shower and threw myself in bed trying to forget what just about happened between me and Michael.

Michaels p.o.v.

The one time someone has to call me….. I was irritated, we were so close. I’m to the point where I can no longer deny the feelings I have for her. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman, everything and my damn phone had to go and mess up our moment. I think it embarrassed her because she ran off real fast, I didn’t even get to say anything she was that fast. Damn Frank nagging about the tour date changes, he just couldn’t wait!!! Well looks like I’m going to have to fix things tomorrow when I see her.